As we age, we come to understand that even the facts we once thought were indisputable can change over time. This is due to the constantly evolving nature of knowledge and understanding. In this article, we will take a closer look at nine such facts that we may have learned in school, but have since been proven to be inaccurate or incomplete.
Fact 1: America’s Independence Day
THEN: The United States declared its independence on July 4, 1776.
NOW: However, the United States did not achieve official independence until seven years later, in 1783.
The celebrations surrounding Independence Day in America are a time of lively parades, delicious barbecues, and spectacular fireworks displays. However, despite the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, and its subsequent signing, the country did not achieve full independence until the signing of the Treaty of Paris on September 3, 1783.
Fact 2: George Washington’s Teeth
THEN: George Washington’s teeth were made of wood.
NOW: Washington’s teeth were human teeth from his slaves and also made from ivory.
Contrary to popular belief, George Washington’s dentures were not made of wood. Instead, they were crafted from a combination of human teeth from his slaves and ivory.
Fact 3: Pluto as a Planet
THEN: Pluto is a planet.
NOW: Pluto isn’t a planet.
Pluto was once considered the ninth planet in our solar system, but it has since been reclassified as a dwarf planet.
Fact 4: The Hardest Substance
THEN: Diamond is the hardest substance.
NOW: Ultrahard nanotwinned cubic boron nitride is the hardest substance.
Substances harder than diamonds have been discovered, including ultrahard nanotwinned cubic boron nitride.
Fact 5: Salem Witch Trials
THEN: Witches in Salem were burned at the stake.
NOW: They were actually hanged.
Contrary to popular belief, the accused witches in the Salem Witch Trials were not burned at the stake, but were instead hanged.
Fact 6: Builders of the Pyramids
THEN: Israelite slaves built the pyramids.
NOW: Egyptian workers built the pyramids themselves.
Recent archaeological evidence suggests that the pyramids were built by Egyptian laborers, not Israelite slaves.
Fact 7: Folding Paper
THEN: Folding a piece of paper more than seven times is mathematically impossible.
NOW: The record stands at 13.
The idea that folding a piece of paper more than seven times is impossible has been proven wrong.
Fact 8: Great Wall of China
THEN: It was once believed that the Great Wall of China is the sole man-made structure visible from space.
NOW: However, numerous man-made features can be seen from space.
The belief that the Great Wall of China is the only man-made structure visible from space has been debunked.
Fact 9: Classification of Life
THEN: Five (or three) kingdoms of classification exist.
NOW: There might be as many as eight kingdoms.
Scientific understanding has led to a more intricate classification of life, potentially including as many as eight kingdoms.
By acknowledging and understanding these changes in knowledge, we can appreciate the evolving nature of our understanding of the world around us.
